First of three nights of heaven in Norfolk. A place of many memories when our children were small – dodging the incoming tide across the salt marshes, paddling across the river at Blakeney and fishing for crabs, with whelk from a little caravan as bait, off the quay. The crabs seemed happy enough to be caught, thrown back and then caught again. And again. And again… our grandchildren have been back and done the same thing. 

We’re staying at The Neptune (about which more elsewhere) but tonight is Socious, a small-plates-sort-of-place, in a slick modern shed we could live here, in it, almost. 

We chose a couple of seats at the counter where we could watch the action. A full restaurant with a wide selection of ‘sharing plates’ – I.e. they come when they’re ready not necessarily in the ‘right’ order. Perhaps seven or eight people in the kitchen, each with specific dish responsibilities. Calm prep, and quiet calling of ‘service please’ with no drama. Very friendly staff and very good food. Generous, tasty and imaginative. We had two ‘starters’ (soft focaccia and chilli prawns), and two mains (tuna tartare and baked celariac), followed  by a shared lemon and meringue. Delicious. A glass of Viognier and two Peroni 0%. £85 all in. Next time cod and a portion of their house ‘rubbed’ chips. 

Restaurant with style Socious

This is Socious, tucked round the back. Better inside than out…

See?